How do you keep the strings from breaking while tuning a guitar? wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Then, pull the string back up to … If you still have a longer string tail at the machine head of your guitar, curl the end under when you have a chance. Overtightening your strings, playing with poor technique, or using an extra thick guitar pick can also cause breakage. You should be able to pull the string about 5 inches (13 cm) away from your guitar before winding. Tip: You can use a peg winder, which will wind the string more quickly. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. To fix a snapped guitar string, pull out the corresponding bridge pin at the bottom of your guitar to free the broken string. Next, unwind the broken string and twist it back through the ball end 3-4 times, so it stays attached. Once it's secured, unwind the string from the tuning post at the top of your guitar for more slack and put the broken end back into the peg hole. Thinner strings tend to wear down more quickly, so you may find you need to change them more frequently. "The broken string of my guitar made me cry. http://www.sunclubband.com/how-to-fix-a-broken-guitar-string/, https://www.guitarworld.com/features/eds-shed-how-restring-acoustic-guitar, https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/everything-you-need-know-about-changing-guitar-strings, https://www.stringjoy.com/why-guitar-strings-break/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. An old string can be especially effective for a sharp bridge – just rub it back and forth in the groove. Over time, this dirt can corrode strings, causing them to snap. Tug on the string a little to make sure the bridge pin is set. The best (and sometimes only) way to truly fix a broken guitar string is to replace it. For more tips, like how to prevent your strings from snapping, keep reading! Ideally, you should stretch them until you are able to tug at the stings without them going out of tune. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. By using our site, you agree to our. There are 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. While this temporary fix can save you some time (and money), you still want to replace the broken string as soon as possible. References. This is your likely culprit if your strings break where you play frequently, and sharp frets aren't the issue. You want something with enough weight to strum effectively and produce the sound you want, but not so much that it causes excessive wear to your strings. Make sure you’re not going an octave above the intended pitch. If you don't want to leave the ends on, you can trim them off with wire cutters. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Your strings might also break a lot because of a structural problem with your guitar, such as sharp or damaged frets or a sharp edge on the bridge or tuning pegs. An overlapping wind could cause the string to fall out of tune more frequently. From here, you should pull the end of the string through the tuning post and bend it 90 degrees, so you can wind it up. Change your strings when they are rusty, gummy, or falling out of tune quickly. Watch the string winding over the post as you turn the tuning peg. You can typically sand down a sharp edge on your own, without having to take your guitar to a repair shop. % of people told us that this article helped them. Your new string will often be out of tune while it is breaking in. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Don’t be frustrated, okay? You don't have an extra set of strings with you, and you aren't in a place where you can easily buy more. After you stretch the string, you'll need to retune it. If you're a serious guitar player you'll be changing your strings frequently, and some musicians change weekly. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/61\/Fix-Guitar-Strings-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Fix-Guitar-Strings-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/61\/Fix-Guitar-Strings-Step-1.jpg\/aid7390884-v4-728px-Fix-Guitar-Strings-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"